(Edited NYRA release)
Edward P. Evans’ BlackBerry Presents the 58th Running of the Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Quality Road continued on the comeback trail as he breezed July 5 for the first time since being transferred to the stable of trainer Todd Pletcher on June 15.
Belmont clockers caught the Elusive Quality colt covering four furlongs on the fast main track at Belmont Park in 49.72 seconds.
“We thought it was good and it puts us in a position to start picking it up a little and see where we are,” Pletcher said. “I’d say it’s going to be a tall order to make the Jim Dandy (1 1/8 miles, gr. II, $500,000 at Saratoga Race Course Aug.1). The most likely scenario, if he’s going to run that weekend, would be in the Amsterdam (6½ furlong, gr. II, $150,000 Aug. 3), but we’ll just have to play it by ear. He’s got three or four more breezes between now and then, so we’ll see.”
An early favorite for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) while when trained by Jimmy Jerkens, Quality Road developed a quarter crack in his right front foot just before the race and di not compete. He returned to the work tab June 8, breezing three furlongs in 38.83, and was transferred from Jerkens to Pletcher the following week.
“His feet look great,” Pletcher reported. “He was shod (on Friday) and, knock on wood, the quarter crack issues appear to be behind him.”